Do you Submit a Cover Letter?

The EBR Team strongly recommend that you always submit an application letter with your resume. A well constructed and to the point letter accompanying a resume can be an extremely powerful influence in securing an interview. As with your CV, the application or cover letter should be tailored to the specific role – a generic application letter, which has no relationship to the required skills and experience for the role advertised, detracts from an application.

Your application letter layout should include the following;

• Date the letter
• Address the letter correctly, ensuring that both the title and the name of the intended recipient are spelled correctly
• Make clear reference to the position reference number, the job title and advertisement date
• Write the contents of the letter in compact paragraphs of no more than 3 sentences, focusing each paragraph on the key aspects of the role as set out in the advertisement
• Construct your sentences so that they do not “parrot” sentences and phrases used in the advertisement;
• Try to limit the letter to one page

What to check before sending your application letter;

• Make sure you have addressed the intended recipient correctly
• Provide the correct job reference number and job title as shown in the advertisement
• Check your spelling of the intended recipient’s name and run spell check
• Write in your words, avoiding repetition of phrases and sentences in the advertisement how your skills, knowledge and experience relate to the specific requirements of the role
• Print off a copy of your application letter and read after you have run spell check, to ensure you have picked up words which do exist but are out of context in your letter
• Have someone whose spelling and grammatical skills you trust read your final version prior to sending it.